Several incentives are available through the Community Redevelopment Authority to assist small businesses and developers within the Central Business District boundaries.

• Revolving Loan Fund
• Tax Increment Financing
• Facade Improvement Program

Program Guidelines

The purpose of the Downtown Façade Forgivable Loan Program is to restore, improve or recreate historic architectural features to facades of commercial buildings anywhere within the Downtown Business Improvement District.

A. Where practical, all building facades shall be restored to their original period design.  If it is deemed not practical by the members of the Authority, then a similar architectural design shall be used.  All horizontal and vertical features (lintels and piers) shall be retained. 

B.  If a building does not have a historically significant architectural design or feature, or the project is a new construction, then a proposed design may be submitted to qualify for the forgivable loan program. 

C. All storefronts shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to compliment and accept the architectural features of the building.  All accessories, signs, awnings, etc. shall likewise harmonize with the overall character of the building. 
 
All color schemes shall accent the building as well as harmonize with adjacent buildings. Colors shall be period specific. Historical murals will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

D.  Funds shall be allocated on a “first ready, first served” basis. Tenants may qualify upon receipt of written consent of the owner of the building.  All forgivable loan funds awarded require a significant expenditure by the owner/tenant. (At a minimum the applicant is encouraged to spend $2 in interior/exterior renovation costs for every $1 in façade forgivable loan funds) EXAMPLE: $100,000 of private investment to $50,000 of forgivable loan funds. The amount of an individual forgivable loan is only limited by the funds available. Applicants may request a maximum of $50,000 in funds from the Downtown Revitalization Forgivable Loan Program. 

Up to $50,000.00 for facades, storefronts, awnings. 

E. No work for which a forgivable loan is sought should begin until authorized by the Community Redevelopment Authority. 

F. To qualify for forgivable loan funds, an application and appropriate plans must be submitted to the Community Redevelopment Authority at 301 S. Burlington, Hastings, NE. 

G.  To qualify for grant funds, an application and appropriate plans must be submitted to the Community Redevelopment Authority office at 301 S. Burlington.

H. No forgivable loans will be made to government-owned properties or to tenants in government owned properties. (Exceptions: Properties owned by the Community Redevelopment Authority.)  

I. Work done by the applicant in which a developer/owner/general contractor would physically work on the project (either them or their employees) is allowed.? An official bidding process (sealed bids, advertisement, etc.,) is not required but steps should be taken to ensure reasonableness of the bids and as such to ensure quality of work and cost effectiveness of the bids/funds invested.?This shall require an estimate from an outside source to verify that costs are within reasonable parameters. 

J. All work must be completed within the boundaries of the Business Improvement District.

To download a Facade Grant Application click here.

For more information on the various programs and incentives mentioned here, please contact:

Randal Chick, Director
Community Redevelopment Authority
301 S. Burlington/Chamber Development Center
Hastings, NE 68901

Phone: 402-461-8415